Soulchat Articles

Why is there human suffering?

Written by: Billy Graham on Feb 16, 2010

There are no easy answers to the question of the purpose of suffering and evil. The tendency is to blame God for these conditions, but He did not create them. They came as a result of man's disobedience to God, beginning back in the Garden of Eden; see Genesis 3:16-19. Often suffering and adversity are brought about by disregard of God's will or by the direct efforts of Satan or by natural disasters in a physical world which is also affected by man's sin and the resulting judgment. God, however, has offered the most effective solution possible by giving His Son to die for all. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price when He suffered and died on the cross, having taken upon Himself the sin of the world and all of its horrible consequences. When Jesus returns in power and glory, there will be a new world completely free from sin with its sorrow and suffering (Revelation, chapters 21 and 22).

We can be sure that God in His divine purpose desires to bring about in us the greatest good and to allow suffering to be a means of discipline through which love, patience, grace, and faith may be cultivated in our lives. God never asks us to understand; we need only trust Him in the same way that we expect our earthly children to trust our love. Peace comes when we realize we are able to see only a few threads in the great tapestry of life and of God's plan. Then we can affirm with great joy and assurance that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

The way we react to suffering will determine whether life's most tragic experiences bring bitterness and despair or become sources of blessing. The greatest joy will come when, in the midst of adversity, we look up into His face and say, "I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (Habakkuk 3:18). It is then that His promise will be most meaningful, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze" (Isaiah 43:2).

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Comments

Manchu

I agree with you Rick, there is nothing "just" about suffering. I've been a Christian most of my life and I have a hard time using the creation story as an "excuse" to defend God's action.

I recently lost my Dad to cancer. In the last year, six of my friends have lost their fathers or mothers. Most of them also lost their battle with cancer. I constantly question God why all these terrible things had to happen. I struggle with my faith daily and I question everthing I have learned at church. I hate the suffering that God is putting me through. Every second of it.

But I have also come to realized that my suffering is a test. If times are bad, will I abandon God or will I stay with him? All relationships need to be "tested" at some point to see the true character of the person. In the case of Haiti, the entire country is being tested.

I struggle daily with my despair and I have not seen the "few threads in the great tapestry of life and of God's plan" as Billy Graham wrote. Some days all I can manage is putting one foot in front of the other. My faith begins at this point.

April 28, 2010 11:31 PM

Jeff

Hey Rick. I understand your frustration. There is lots about the "Creation story" that doesn't make sense to me. Similarly, why does God put up with Satan? God is all-powerful, so why doesn't He swat Satan like He could swat a pesky fly?

I can't answer those questions. They continue to nag me sometimes. But in the meantime, over and over again, I see so much beauty and wonderful things in the world that I cannot help but believe there is a Creator who loves us and wants to know each of us personally.

You mention the people of Haiti. I think (and pray) about them. But in the midst of so much sorrow and turmoil, as millions of Hatians continue to express thanks to God and love for God, how can I (surrounded by my comfortable life in Canada) deny Him or oppose Him?

The Haitian people are an example to me of trusting in God not only in the good times, but the bad times too. I want to live my life like that. You might call me or us naive or simplistic. But try it sometime. Give God a chance. He loves you, Rick -- whether you like it or not!

February 26, 2010 11:12 AM

Rick

The idea that we are all guilty of some crime because the first two people that an invisible god created, disobeyed him and ate a piece of fruit, after being influenced by a now extinct talking snake, is completely asinine.This is akin to someone being charged with murder having his/her whole family arrested and tried in court with him/her, and if found guilty, all being sent to jail. No court of law would even think of acting in this manner, and yet this is what god does; one person makes a mistake, you are all guilty. B*******! Being omniscient and having a Divine Plan, you would think he would have seen this coming, and to postulate that some other supernatural being, Satan, is attempting to, and apparently successfully, thwart his plan, only proves that Satan is more powerful than god.Being omniscient and knowing what Satan would do, why would he even create him? The Divine Bungler is what he is.
If he decided, as part of this Divine Plan, to have his own son murdered, then this is not humanity's problem, but gods'. A two year old could have come up with something better.
Ask the people in Haiti if they believe suffering is just; why is it always the poorest who are constantly subjected to suffering imposed by god?
Meanwhile, send Billy and Franklin some money.

February 16, 2010 11:00 AM

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